To ring within the new 12 months, theScore is trying forward. Whereas 2024 offered numerous indelible sports activities moments, 2025 guarantees to ship its personal share of memorable occasions and historic achievements. Under, we’re counting down the 2025 storylines which have us most intrigued. Our five-part sequence kicks off with objects 25-21.
Observe the complete sequence this week:
| Dec. 30 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 2 | Jan. 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-21 | 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1 |
25. Will 4 Nations Face-Off be a hit?
The 4 Nations Face-Off, which is being held in Montreal and Boston from Feb. 12-20, is males’s hockey’s first “best-on-best” event because the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The nine-day, NHL-run occasion options six round-robin video games and a last. 4 of the highest 5 hockey nations – Canada, the US, Sweden, and Finland – are collaborating. Russia’s been excluded for geopolitical causes, whereas different international locations like Czechia, Switzerland, and Germany do not have sufficient on a regular basis NHLers to fill a 23-man roster. (Solely gamers on NHL contracts are eligible.)
There is a low bar for this occasion to be thought of a hit, given the eight-year await worldwide competitors outdoors of the annual world championships. This would be the first time Canadians Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby share the ice as teammates, whereas the U.S. squad is headlined by two units of brothers within the Hughes and Tkachuk siblings.
The 4 Nations is being marketed as an appetizer for the 2026 Olympics, and it will come and go shortly. Nonetheless, there will be loads of storylines: The USA boasts the perfect roster high to backside, Canada has essentially the most star energy however questionable goaltending, Sweden’s efficiency largely depends upon its blue line, and Finland is the event’s true underdog. – John Matisz
24. May Man Metropolis actually get relegated?
Sure. Relegation from the highest flight of English soccer is among the many attainable outcomes of the Premier League’s case towards Manchester Metropolis, who’re accused of breaching monetary guidelines, obscuring funds to coaches and gamers, and failing to cooperate with authorities over a nine-year interval. An unbiased three-man panel is reportedly deliberating after spending three months listening to arguments from each side.
We cannot get a verdict till January on the earliest. Even then, Metropolis, who deny all wrongdoing, are prone to enchantment. A last ruling could not arrive till subsequent season. So in the event that they do get relegated, it will not occur instantly.
A monetary settlement stays the more than likely end result. The Premier League may provide the cash to different groups as an olive department. Something apart from a settlement feels far-fetched and counterproductive. Think about relegating a group that has received six of the previous seven Premier League titles and the harm that might do to the integrity of the competitors. The harshest punishment could serve justice, however on the expense of the Premier League itself. Would the league settle for such a dangerous trade-off? – Anthony Lopopolo
23. Will the White Sox bounce again?
2024 was a tough 12 months for the South Facet, with the White Sox breaking the trendy document for many losses in a single season with 121. This was a supreme fall from grace for a company that appeared within the postseason simply three years prior and had the look of a World Collection contender throughout the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. However after steady failures and underperformance from stars, the group fired its high executives and undertook a full-on rebuild underneath newly appointed common supervisor Chris Getz.
The primary White Sox season underneath Getz appeared much less like a rebuild and extra like what Rachel Phelps had deliberate for Cleveland within the movie “Main League.” Chicago completed final in almost each vital baseball class and followers started to put on paper baggage over their heads at Assured Price Subject.
It would not appear like the White Sox are attempting to bounce again in 2025 both. The group has performed nothing to enhance the squad and is reportedly making an attempt to commerce a few of its remaining good gamers; Garrett Crochet has already been dealt, and Luis Robert Jr. may comply with. Pure luck may be the one manner the White Sox win extra video games subsequent season. – Bryan Mcwilliam
22. The Invoice Belichick period at UNC
Invoice Belichick shocked the soccer world when he accepted the pinnacle teaching job at North Carolina for subsequent season. It will likely be his first faculty gig after spending 49 seasons within the NFL. Can arguably the best coach in soccer historical past succeed as a 72-year-old freshman? The six-time Tremendous Bowl champion head coach not too long ago mentioned his Tar Heels shall be a “skilled program” that is a “pipeline” to the NFL. Nonetheless, the historic basketball faculty final received a convention soccer championship in 1980 and is not precisely identified for churning out blue-chip prospects.
Belichick may have a common supervisor to assist take care of the more and more complicated switch portal, NIL compensation, and looming income sharing, although recruiting and connecting with teenage gamers may show tough for the notoriously rigid coach. (Will he bench the primary participant who movies a TikTok within the locker room?)
Though his New England Patriots tenure went off the rails post-Tom Brady, Belichick was a grasp defensive strategist who commonly outschemed the NFL’s finest coaches. Does he nonetheless have that in him? We’ll miss his common media appearances as an analyst, but it surely’ll really feel proper to see Belichick patrolling a sideline once more – even when it isn’t the place we anticipated. – Liam Fox
21. Can Jokic win his 4th MVP?
On tempo to win his fourth NBA MVP award, Nicola Jokic ought to simply be thought of an all-time nice after this season. The Serbian has received three of the final 4, together with the 2023-24 honor, however he is eclipsing his stats from earlier campaigns. The Denver Nuggets star is averaging profession highs in factors (30.8), steals (1.7), and 3-point proportion (50%). He is 14.1 proportion factors higher from lengthy vary than final season and making an attempt extra threes than ever, averaging 4.5 per sport. With 12.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists per sport, Jokic has an opportunity to complete the season averaging a triple-double. Solely two gamers in historical past have achieved the feat (Russell Westbrook has performed it 4 instances and Oscar Robertson as soon as).
He is poised to set league information too. Jokic is averaging 52.8 factors, rebounds, and assists per sport mixed; no different participant has put up greater than 53 because the league merger. He is proper there. The Joker may additionally turn out to be the primary participant to ever lead the Affiliation in factors, boards, and dimes in the identical season. He at the moment sits third in factors and assists, and tied for third in rebounds.
The 29-year-old shall be respiration rarefied air if he takes dwelling the league’s high particular person honor as soon as once more; LeBron James and Invoice Russell are the one gamers in league historical past to win the MVP award 4 instances in 5 seasons. – Joseph Luca Casciaro
The rollout continues Tuesday with Nos. 20-16.
